1

Disney Character Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Crowds Artist

Burbank, CA · On-site

$60.69 - $75.95/hr

Design crowd character behaviors and set ups * Team player, willing to collaborate with peers to ... The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer The pay rate for this role in Burbank ...

From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of ... Shape compelling and replayable experiences that align with Epic and Disney's long-term gameplay ...

Lead Environment Concept Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $135K/yr

... character and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire. What You'll Do Epic Games is ... Collaborate closely with environment art, level design, lighting, VFX, and gameplay teams to ensure ...

Senior Environment Concept Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

... character and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire. What You'll Do Epic Games is ... Collaborate closely with environment art, level design, lighting, VFX, and gameplay teams to ensure ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Disney Character Design information

See salary details

$104.5K

$120.5K

$128.5K

How much do disney character design jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for disney character design in the United States is $120,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Disney Character Design job?

A Disney Character Design job involves creating visually compelling and unique characters that align with Disney's storytelling and artistic style. Character designers develop concept art, refine character personalities, and collaborate with animators, directors, and writers to ensure designs fit the project's narrative. They must have strong artistic skills, creativity, and an understanding of anatomy, expression, and movement. This role is essential in bringing Disney's animated films, TV shows, and theme park attractions to life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Disney Character Design position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Disney Character Designer, you need a strong foundation in drawing, visual storytelling, anatomy, and character development, typically backed by a degree in illustration, animation, or a related field. Proficiency with digital illustration tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and drawing tablets, along with experience using animation software like Toon Boom or Autodesk Maya, is highly valued. Creativity, collaboration, strong communication, and the ability to accept feedback are essential soft skills in this role. These qualifications are vital for consistently producing iconic, appealing characters that align with Disney’s brand and storytelling standards while working effectively in a team-driven environment.

What does a typical workday look like for a Disney Character Designer?

A typical day for a Disney Character Designer involves brainstorming new concepts, sketching character ideas, refining designs based on feedback, and collaborating closely with other artists, storytellers, and animators. Designers often attend team meetings to review project briefs and align on creative direction, as well as work independently to develop presentation materials. There is a strong emphasis on iteration, with designers revising artwork to meet narrative goals and ensure consistency with established visual styles. The role offers a dynamic mix of individual creativity and teamwork, making communication and flexibility key to success in daily responsibilities.

What cities are hiring for Disney Character Design jobs? Cities with the most Disney Character Design job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Disney Character Design jobs? The most popular types of Disney Character Design jobs are:
What states have the most Disney Character Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Disney Character Design jobs include:
Infographic showing various Disney Character Design job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% Internship, and 89% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $120,531 per year, or $57.9 per hour.
Senior Art Director - Art Studio, Disney Live Entertainment

Senior Art Director - Art Studio, Disney Live Entertainment

The Walt Disney Company

Kissimmee, FL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life

Posted 9 days ago


Walt Disney Company rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 124 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 47 rated entertainment


Job description

Job Posting Title:

Senior Art Director - Art Studio, Disney Live Entertainment

Req ID:

10152786

Job Description:

Through innovative storytelling and a culture of collaboration, Disney Live Entertainment creates, produces, and delivers remarkable and engaging entertainment experiences! From the intimate to the spectacular, our work can be seen at Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships, and other locations the world over. This team with varied strengths - representing a wide variety of subject areas and talents from art directors, concept artist/illustrators, technical directors, writers, and lighting designers to choreographers, cosmetologists, and music producers - brings magical worlds to life through technical expertise, performance excellence, outstanding resourcefulness, unparalleled spectacle... and a dash of pixie dust!

The Sr. Art Director collaborates with partners including team members of the Art Studio to create the visual storytelling language of projects. As an artist on this team, you are a visual storyteller. They developand execute innovative, unique and immersive designs of environments, props and scenery in support of original and adapted live entertainment concepts, including special events, Character greeting environments, large stage shows, spectaculars and parades. Through leadership and collaboration with Show Directors, Technical Directors, Technical Designers, Producers, WDI and marketing partners, the Art Director ensures design intent in the development of themed environments which convey the emotions and visual vocabulary of a live production.The DLE Art Studio has helped create some of the most spectacular visual storytelling for some of the world's greatest Characters and the worlds they live in.

You will report tothe Manager - Art Studio

This is a Full-Time role

What You Will Do:

The Sr. Art Director provides strong and consistent leadership for graphic artists, concept artists, illustrators, and scenic vendors. Responsibilities include guiding the development of the design intent on projects in collaboration with other key creative partners. As a leader within the team, the Sr. Art Director mustestablish,buildandmaintainopen relationships based on trust and partnering with key clients and supporting departments.

This role requires an aptitude for extensive collaboration in the development and realization of design intent of live show entertainment projects as part of the creative process. Other responsibilities include participating/influencing the project's creative development,developingand executing scenic art designs and facility infrastructure, and collaborating with key production disciplines to ensure that the artistic & scenic design elements are seamlessly and safely integrated into the overall project.

With a strong background in theatrical scenic design, the Sr. Art Director produces design intent drawings, five-view detailed drawings, provides materials selections, colorcall-outsand color elevations that the production team can use to select vendors and communicate project information. The Sr. Art Director provides leadership and art direction in the field and direction to vendors to ensure that final product meets the design intent; this role also partners with vendors to ensure Disney quality, compatibility,trainingand proper documentation of all art elements is delivered.

Other duties include developing and/or providing input to Art Studio budgets for element costs and labor,staying current with art research and development efforts within industry including visual and graphic trends, scenic innovation and produces support artwork for design/development and presentations, and conducts ongoing "entertainment show quality" evaluations of existing offerings to maintain original show intent.

RequiredQualifications & Skills:

  • 7 years of experience in the theatrical or themed entertainment industry, working in show development and operation of live shows, drafting ground plans, elevations, renderings, 3D images, etc

  • Superior working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and experience with theatrical scenic design

  • Demonstrated hand-drawing,sketchingand illustration abilities

  • Strong drafting knowledge and ability to read technical drawings

  • Ability to handle multiple projects; strong background inlogistics

  • Aptitude for creative collaboration and partnering

  • Positive attitude; ability to promote co-operation and teamwork

  • Proficient ability to mentor othersthrough positive and constructive feedback, coaching and developmental direction

  • Leadership skills, including problem solving, influencing abilities, negotiating skills and continuous improvement process experience

  • Excellent communication skills and follow through

  • Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills

  • Demonstrated ability to lead and provide direction for teams and crews whilemaintaininga safe and productive workplace

  • Demonstrated strong budgeting skills

  • Ability to solve business and creative challenges

  • Ability to be flexible with work schedule, including weekends and holidays

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

  • Proficiencyin AutoCAD,SketchUp,CADTools,Vectorworksand 3D programs such as Z-Brush and Rhino

  • Understanding of the Disney Company Brandand how to work with it

Required Education

  • BA in Theater Technology and Design, or related field or equivalent work experience

Preferred Education

  • MFA or equivalent in Art/Theatrical Design

Additional Information

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

#DLEJobs

#DXMedia

The hiring range for this position in Florida is $100,100.00 - $134,200.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Job Posting Segment:

Disney Live Entertainment

Job Posting Primary Business:

Walt Disney World (DLE)

Primary Job Posting Category:

Art Direction Entertainment

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Kissimmee, FL, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-05-29

What Walt Disney Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Walt Disney logo

About Walt Disney

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Disney, we're storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world. "We create happiness." That's our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. And it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you'll help inspire that magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and create the never-before-seen!

Industry

Amusement, gambling, and recreation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Burbank, CA, US

Social media